NAVRATRI FESTIVAL – FESTIVAL WHICH PURIFIES BODY AND MIND MAY THIS NINE DAYS’ WONDER OF NAVRATRI BRINGS HAPPINESS AND PEACE FOR ALL NAVRATRI / NAVRATRA

08Oct

NAVRATRI FESTIVAL – FESTIVAL WHICH PURIFIES BODY AND MIND MAY THIS NINE DAYS’ WONDER OF NAVRATRI BRINGS HAPPINESS AND PEACE FOR ALL NAVRATRI / NAVRATRA

NAVRATRI FESTIVAL

Fact stands out India is a land rich in cultural moresHere the festivals are galoreCommemorated on certain seasons or occasionsAmongst the venerated festivals in Hindu traditionsNavratri attracts all shades of people for celebrationsCelebrated two times in a yearMarch-April – as Chaitra Navratri,October-November – as the Shradha Navratri.Nav-ratri is the created from two Hindi expressions‘Nav’ meaning nineAnd ‘ratri’ meaning nightRelated to Goddess Durga – the WarriorAttired in mesmerizing dress in red colourMounted on the lion so ferociousNavratri too is linked with fertility of landFolks observe the fitness of earthBy testing seeds germination in pots earthenFolks also observe fasting rigidlyAnd keep themselves chasteIn words and in deeds indeed.

Legends abound about Navratri.

Meheshsura the demon king worshipped Lord ShivaWho grants him the boon of invincibility even from GodsStarts killing people most innocentAnd even acquired the Seven Lokas by forceIncluding the thrown of Indra.

To annihilate the powerful MaheshsuraThe Trinity & other Gods confabulatedFor creating a power supreme for defeating the demonCreated Ma Shakti – Mother the most powerful oneOr Durga, the Warrior Goddess.The war between Maheshasur and Mother DivineLasted for days nineOn day tenth She killed himNavratri thus symbolizes the victory of good over evil

On (9th day) Mahanavami nine young girls are worshipedAs Nine Forms of Durga GoddessAnd gifted food and new dresses.

Another legend has itKing Daksha the King of Himalayan KingdomWas blessed with a daughterHe named her Uma – a most beautiful oneShe worshipped Lord Shiva immeasurablySo that He may accept her in marriage easilyHaving pleased Lord ShivaThus marries UmaAgainst the wishes of King DhakshaOne day King Dhaksha held a grand YagnaAll Gods except Shiva were invitedUma wanted to attendYagna with Lord Shiva’s reservation evenAnd against His wishesKing Daksha reprimanded her for coming uninvitedIn rage she jumps into Agni Kund (Fire-grate) and perishedAnd was termed as SatiMadev as Virbadhara took King Daksha task for thisOn rebirth (as Parbati) she marries Lord Shiva againShe comes to Her parents to stay for Nine DaysAnd thus we celebrate these Nine Days as Navratri.

Legend also has it that Lord RamaWorshipped Goddess Durga’sNine Forms for nine daysOn day tenth He was able to kill powerful demon king RavanaThus day tenth is celebrated as Vijaydakshmi or DussehraFirst three days are dedicated to Goddess DurgaIn the form of child; young girl and mature womanThe three varied stages of womanhoodSymbolizing victory of evil over falsehoodNext three days are dedicated to Goddess of Wealth & ProsperityHer name is Goddess LakshmiShe symbolizes wealth; peace and prosperityLast three days are commemorated in the name of Goddess SaraswatiThe Goddess of knowledgeIn snowy white dressMounted on a white swan

Thus Navratri is termed as the sign

Of purity and well-being.

HARBANS KHAJURIA

Undoubtedly, India is a land of festivals, with diverse history besides diverse cultural mores. All festivals are occasioned either on change of certain seasons or based on certain historical events. People call the same festival differently in different regions but spirit behind all these remains just vibrant. Enthusiasm and gaiety remain the guiding force behind all the celebrations. It may be dussehra; diwali; holi; lohri; Eid; Good Friday; Guru Purabhs or any other festival of any religion, the spirit of celebration remains the binding force.

Literally, the word, NAVRATRI – NAV means NINE and RATRI means NIGHTS. Prayers and fasting is observed by devout during these nine days. A lighter refreshments, if taken at all, to keep light and pure in body and mind like mountain air and helps an individual to pray with a focused mind. This also provides the devotees a freedom from adulteration and contamination both in body and mind besides purifying soul along with keeping it taint-free of any sort. All these traits enhance the Karmic Credit and credibility of an individual devotee who observes the fasts and also offers sincere prayers during these days with utmost devotion. This lightness in body and mind provides us an opportunity to devote our mind in our prayers to Goddess Durga maa – an embodiment of power ‘shakti’.

Besides observing fasts, devotees organize congregations in the form of melas and also enact programmes and cultural functions in the form of group dances and devotional songs. For example famous ‘garva dance’ is organized in the state of Gujarat and devotional songs and dance competitions are organized in West Bengal besides prayers in the specially erected and decorated pandals is a usual pheno. People visit the famous temples of Vaishno Devi in Katra (in Jammu province) besides all the temples of Goddess Durga in its different forms / manifestations attract devotees in these nine days.

The main driving force of the Navratri is to purify our thoughts and deeds thereof. In these nine days devout observe strict fasts; remain chaste and desist from telling lies. Wish that people always behave like this all the days!

The first three days are celebrated on the name of Durga Mata – Goddess with immense power

For next three days she is worshipped as spiritual wealth – Mata Lakshmi.

Subsequently for next three days, she is Goddess of wisdom – the Goddess Saraswati. It bestows spiritual enlightenment besides showering an individual with all round success.

It is useful for our benefit to know the importance of each day.

First Day. On the first day, Mata Durga is termed as Shailputri – the daughter of Himalaya and the consort of Lord Shiva.

Second Day. Mata Durga on the second day is called as Brahmacharini which represents worship. She is the embodiment of huge reserve of power – Shakti.

Third Day. On the third day, the Goddess is venerated as Chandraghanta. She is the embodiment of power and beauty.

Fourth Day. On the fourth day, Maan Durga is worshipped in the form of Kushmanda – the creator of whole universe by the power of her laughter.

Fifth Day. Here on this day, Eskandha – the main warrior of Gods’ army.

Sixth Day. On the sixth day, Mataji takes the form of Katyayani with three eyes and four hands – all powerful and with immense grace.

Seventh Day. On this day, Maan Durga takes the form of Kalratri – she is shown as black as dark night with four hands and makes the evil doers fearless.

Eighth Day. On the eighth day, the Mata Durga takes the form of Maha Gauri – with beauty besides having calmness and exhibits immense wisdom.

Nineth Day. On the nineth day, Maan Durga is worshipped as Siddidatri – with all the eight sidhis. In this form, she is worshipped by all.

Congregations in melas etc help in people to people contacts thus animosity, if any, gets obliterated and a feeling of fellow feeling and cooperation sprout.

Group dances and spiritual song competitions enhance competitive spirits in the youth and also help them direct their latent energies to productive use.

Devotees, in their zeal to show earnest desire to have total connectivity with Goddess Durgaji, offer singular devotion to Her during these auspicious days, reap the harvest of answering their problems faced and get PEACE OF MIND in their lives as a reward of this worship.

I have often wondered what is the underlying reason for the upsurge of Religious fervour one is witness to nowadays.

Could it be that materialism induced by Industrialization is not fulfilling human emotional needs . The increasing religiosity is a way of seeking and drawing comfort in identity . It also gives hope and emotional security to hopeless or worried.

In India the faith and belief is deeper . Hindus are recent additions but others were active even earlier . The SGPC act was passed in British times . The ANTI RELIGIOUS ( READ HINDU ONLY)DEFINITION OF SECULARISM PURSUED IS HAVING A BACKLASH .

But more often TV is playing a major hidden hand .A TV show on Sanskar say of Krishan Leela is more interesting to watch and more effective than a radio talk .

While interacting with people in general, I find there is disenchantment in the lives of people, even with material possessions. Parents may be successful, their offspring may or may not be as successful because both parents could not give quality time to their children while it was required. Necessary value system that was to be given in the childhood of their wards could not be given because of their preoccupation with their respective jobs. When nothing works, we have a INVISIBLE FORCE to solve our problem and that is OMNIPOTENT AND OMNISCIENT GOD. Here Hindu or any other religions are equally attracting common masses and rightly so because all the religions have the common message.

Secularism is one of the best thing that is pursued in India and it should never be watered down. Indian Constitution when followed to the book will help solve any problem that may arise from time to time. I am very positive about India’s credential as a Secular country – some aberrations notwithstanding.

Yes, our TV too is contributing much as far as awareness is concerned.